Johnny Burke News

Bar Thalia, a narrow, uber-casual bar/café adjacent to the Upper West Side arts hub Symphony Space, has become the musical pied-à-terre of vocalist Marcus Goldhaber. Each first Sunday of the month, the artist presents two loosey-goosey acoustic sets with a guest singer and guitarist. The past Sunday's show featured vocalist Tessa Souter with Tony Romano on guitar.

The three-day 2016 ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop in Partnership with DreamWorks Animation and The Wallis concluded tonight with a special scholarship presentation by ASCAP Workshop Artistic Director and Tony, Oscar and Grammy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz. Six recipients - Mina Bloom, Rachel Gilbert, Tristan McIntyre, Dylan Schifrin, Bailey Share-Aizic and Juan Solis - were invited onto the stage of the Bram Goldsmith Theater at The Wallis to receive a combined $5,000 in scholarship funds to be applied to furthering their studies in musical theater and songwriting.

The indomitable Liliane Montevecchi revived her 25-year-old cabaret show Thursday night at Feinstein's/54 Below with verve, style, and the expansive flirting of a lifelong femme fatale. This time it's aptly titled Be My Valentine. Few can ad lib with so much beguiling heat. As the Cliff Notes of her extraordinary life are now familiar to most fans, this audience is here to experience the infectious joy of live performance.

On February 7, Emergent Arts' newest Sunday night show at The Yellow Barn, 'Stage Time', will be teaming with Emergent Arts' Unclub to present some of the best and brightest comedians the state has to offer.

How much do most of us know about Brooklyn's own Mary Jane 'Mae' West (1893-1980) other than that she was an iconic sex symbol who had a wicked sense of humor? It's common knowledge she acted and sang, but are you aware she was a playwright and screenwriter? Did you know she didn't make her first film until the age of 39 and never drank alcohol? Jazz vocalist Molly Ryan has done her homework, presenting a smart, multifaceted woman who was, outside her carefully constructed persona, "the epitome of modesty." Though narrative needs to be edited, her show Come Up and See Me Sometime at the Metropolitan Room (which completed a three-show run this past Wednesday night) is an excellent mix of history and anecdote making a case for increased appreciation of the subject.

Birdland was abuzz this past Thursday night in celebration of Barbara Fasano's fresh-off-the-press CD, Busy Being Free. Industry types table-hopped among civilians--they know a good thing when they hear it--as anticipation swelled. Gift wrapped in tapestry blue, Fasano was accompanied by three of the six excellent musicians on her recording: Musical Director/Pianist/Arranger John di Martino, with Boris Koslov on bass, and Vince Cherico on drums.

Musical Theatre West's (MTW) Reiner Staged Reading Series returns in 2016 with four one-night only performances of classic and forgotten Broadway gems, including Pal Joey (January 24, 2016); On the Twentieth Century (May 16, 2016); Donnybrook! (June 12, 2016); and Li'l Abner (August 28, 2016).  All performances take place at the University Theatre at California State University, Long Beach (off 7th Street between East and West Campus Drive, Parking Lot 7). 

On the second night of this year's 26th Annual Cabaret Convention, Jeff Harnar and Andrea Marcovicci hosted A Sentimental Journey: World War II Songs, inspired by Marcovicci's memorable Oak Room at The Algonquin show, I'll Be Seeing You--Love Songs of World War II. (The CD is highly recommended.) As always with this pair's Convention contribution, the show was a treat in part because of its singular glamour. Much of our audience was exceptionally familiar with and nostalgic about these songs. A few had to be politely quieted for singing along, more than a few took each other's hands. It seems I've heard that song before . . . the co-hosts begin, warming the room.

Terri White, whose career has spanned over 40 years in show business tonight announced her farewell from live performing.

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, begins its 2015-2016 season with Swinging on a Star, the musical revue of the songs by Academy Award-winning lyricist, Johnny Burke.  Created by Michael Leeds, Swinging on a Star is set at several venues throughout various decades and showcases the talent of Mr. Burke. Swinging on a Star performs on the Stark Stage from October 27 - November 15, 2015 and is sponsored by John and Marilyn McConnell and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.

The uplifting documentary debuts TONIGHT, AUG. 17 (8:00-8:45 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

HBO has confirmed a compelling array of thought-provoking documentaries for the second half of 2015

The uplifting documentary debuts MONDAY, AUG. 17 (8:00-8:45 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano are in a really good mood. The infectious buoyancy of their new show at the Metropolitan Room, Shoulder Season (Don't ask me what the title means. Despite explanation, I haven't a clue.), will erase world news, ease arthritis, and make love seem possible again. Well, maybe not all that. Its warm, cheerful, sometimes exuberant musicality is nonetheless recommended for whatever ails you.

The GRAMMY Foundation® Grant Program announced today that more than $200,000 in grants will be awarded to 14 recipients in the United States to help facilitate a range of research on a variety of subjects

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

Vocalist Shepley Metcalf, critically lauded by the Boston Globe as a 'superb cabaret/jazz singer,' is celebrating the release of her third recording, 'Don't Bother to Knock,' with a series of shows on the east coast this Fall. New Yorkers can catch Metcalf at the Metropolitan Room for one show tonight, November 1st at 7pm, singing music from the CD along with some other lesser-known gems from the Great American Songbook. Musical partner, Ron Roy, will be at the piano. The Metropolitan Room is in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street. Call 212.206.0440 for reservations or contact: http://metropolitanroom.com . 'Don't Bother to Knock' was released on September 30, 2014.

Vocalist Shepley Metcalf, critically lauded by the Boston Globe as a "superb cabaret/jazz singer," is celebrating the release of her third recording, "Don't Bother to Knock," with a series of shows on the east coast this Fall. New Yorkers can catch Metcalf at the Metropolitan Room for one show on November 1st at 7pm, singing music from the CD along with some other lesser-known gems from the Great American Songbook. Musical partner, Ron Roy, will be at the piano. The Metropolitan Room is in Manhattan at 34 West 22nd Street. Call 212.206.0440 for reservations or contact: http://metropolitanroom.com . "Don't Bother to Knock" was released on September 30, 2014.

Award-winning theater actor/singer, George Ball, celebrates a major milestone with the immediate release of his solo recording debut, 'Think of Me' (Gecko/LML Music). Mr. Ball describes 'Think of Me' as a recording for the 'grownup at heart.' He uses his famous baritone in a contemporary format here with an unusual repertoire that embraces story songs, heartbreakers, contemporary and country-tinged tales of love in its many guises. The recording was inspired by his wife, Amanda McBroom. It is available today on iTunes, LMLMusic, Amazon and other retailers.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Terri White in 'Two Score' tonight, June 22nd at 9:30pm.